Usage and Meaning
The Korean word '이래' is commonly used to indicate a point in time from which something continues or a reason for a situation. It can mean 'since' or 'after that' when referring to time, or 'because of this' when explaining a cause.
Common Contexts
Temporal reference: '이래로' is often used to express 'since then' or 'from that time onward.' For example, '그 사건 이래로' means 'since that incident.'
Causal expression: When combined with '서' as '이래서,' it means 'because of this' or 'for this reason,' often used to explain why something happens.
Idiomatic expression: In phrases like '이래 봬도,' it implies 'believe it or not' or 'despite appearances,' often to emphasize experience or ability.
Common Collocations
- 이래로: indicates a starting point in time ('since then').
- 이래서: causal connector meaning 'because of this.'
- 이래 봬도: idiomatic phrase meaning 'believe it or not' or 'despite appearances.'
Register and Usage Notes
'이래' is used in both spoken and written Korean and is neutral in formality, making it suitable for everyday conversation and formal contexts. Learners should not confuse '이래' with '이래서' or '이래로,' which have distinct grammatical functions.
Common Mistake
A frequent learner mistake is to use '이래' alone to mean 'because' without the particle '서.' Remember that '이래서' is the correct form for expressing causation, while '이래' by itself often relates to time or idiomatic expressions.